International Program Alumni | Florence History
Florence, Italy
Program History
The first Pepperdine International Programs in Florence were operated in temporary
locations during the summers of 1985 and 1986. In 1987, the program moved to the rented
Villa la Macine in the suburb of Il Pogetto. Although students enjoyed the beautiful
grounds that surrounded the Villa, part of the building itself was nearly 500 years
old and many of the things that most Americans take for granted—like ample hot water
for showers—were hard to come by. Parts of the facility were in poor repair and, being
a rented facility, it was difficult to keep everything in accordance with Pepperdine
standards. To go into the center of Florence, students either had to pay approximately
$10 for a taxi or had to walk nearly a quarter of a mile to catch a bus.
In 1995 the University purchased two adjacent properties which had the same owner.
These are now known as the Villa Di Loreto, which contains the classrooms, library,
offices and the apartment for the Visiting Faculty member, and the Residenza Tagliaferri,
which contains the dining room, student center and student rooms. The Villa Di Loreto
was built in the late nineteenth century by a Russian emigre, the Countess Platoff,
and its stained glass windows and other architectural features were brought from Russia.
When Pepperdine purchased the property, the owner and his family occupied the main
and upper floor, and he operated a small factory that made a line of designer shoes
for women in the basement. The Residenza Tagliaferri was operated as the three-star
Hotel Astor until April of 1995.
| 1985 | First Florence pilot program takes place during the summer |
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| 1987 | Florence, Italy was established as a yearlong study-abroad program, and the Villa
la Macine, a leased facility, accommodated nearly 1,000 students during the years
of its operation as a Pepperdine House. |
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| 1994 | Pepperdine purchased the Villa Platoff and the Hotel Astor during the fall. -These
adjoining buildings were completely renovated into the current villa. |
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| 1995 | The newly purchased and renovated villa was renamed the Villa Di Loreto for Pepperdine
benefactors Edward and Jill Di Loreto, and the program moved into its present location.
The Residenza Tagliaferri, named in honor of Edward and Madeline Tagliaferri by the
Tagliaferri Foundation, was formerly known as the Hotel Astor, and houses the Pepperdine
students. |
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| 1995 | Friends of Firenze was established to enrich the physical and educational resources
of the Florence study-abroad program. |